ST. LOUIS – Jewish families in St. Louis spent Tuesday waiting to hear from their loved ones following Iran’s attack on Israel.

“It is a gut punch, right,” Karen Sher, Vice President of Community Impact for Jewish Federation of St. Louis, said.

It is a significant week for the Jewish community. Just days away from the one-year remembrance of the Oct. 7, 203, attacks on Israel and just hours away from the beginning of the holidays.

“The war is ongoing. The date is significant. And it is going to be significant, regardless of your opinion,” Jordan Kadosh, Anti-Defamation League Heartland, said.

He said Iran’s attack on Israel is felt thousands of miles away.

“Israel has the largest population of Jews on the planet; the second largest is right here in the United States. So, the two communities are intertwined, and we’re concerned,” Kadosh said.

“It’s hard, because you know someone or you know you have your friends and their sons and daughters are fighting right now in Lebanon or in Gaza,” Sher said.

She was on the phone with counterparts in Jerusalem when air raids went off. In the hours following the phone call, Sher learned everyone was safe.

“I don’t feel hopeless, not at all. I think that we always have to have hope and optimism,” she said. “I think that Israel is a very strong country, and its deterrence is incredible right now.”

Sher said the majority of the missiles were intercepted with help from the United States. She’s hopeful and looking ahead to the holidays.

“Rosh Hashanah, where we gather to celebrate the new year; it is one of the holiest days of the year. I know it is also a holiday for hope. It is a holiday for memory,” she said.